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Governor Provides Boost for Cyclist and Pedestrian Safety With Highway Safety Improvement Funding June 12, 2014 - New Yorkers for Active Transportation (NY4AT) applauds Governor Cuomo's announcement of $75.6 million in federal Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) funding for road safety projects across New York State, and especially the inclusion of bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure improvements in a majority of the projects. The attention shown to non-motorists clearly demonstrates that the Governor and the NYS Department of Transportation are concerned with the safety of all road users, including pedestrians and bicyclists. Improvements such as wider crosswalks, new pedestrian refuges, traffic-calming curb extensions, wider shoulders and protected bike lanes will pay big dividends for pedestrians and bicyclists by allowing safer access to worksites, schools, community destinations, parks and trails and by stimulating economic activity and quality of life in urban downtowns and on small-town Main Streets. This year, NY4AT urged the Governor and NYSDOT to dedicate a greater portion of HSIP funds to bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure than in the past, establish dedicated state funding for active transportation infrastructure, and fully implement the 2011 New York Complete Streets law, which commits the State to consideration of all roadway users when designing and building the roadway network. New York currently lags behind neighboring states in the funding sources it directs to active transportation projects, and the lack of dedicated funding sources prevents local communities from effectively planning and building local improvements. That makes actions like this announcement all the more important. By making walking and bicycling and the safety of all roadway users a priority, the Governor has taken a significant step towards creating a safer New York for residents and visitors alike. About NY4AT NY4AT is a coalition dedicated to achieving equitable funding for non-motorized transportation, including complete streets, community multi-use trails, and safer and increased levels of bicycling and walking in New York's cities, villages, and towns. The coalition is coordinated by the New York Bicycling Coalition, Parks & Trails New York, and Tri State Transportation Campaign. For questions and media inquiries, reply to this email or call: Josh Wilson, Executive Director New York Bicycling Coalition |
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Your membership in New York Bicycling Coalition will help us make New York a more bicycle-friendly state in 2014 by supporting our advocacy work at the state and federal level.
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New York Bicycling Coalition
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